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Aye pods!

Take a look at camp sites and you’ll see pods popping up aplenty – a step up from camping, these wee wooden shelters provide a great alternative to flapping about with tents or hooking up with trailers. We take a look at one venue in Highland Perthshire that is targeting families with their pods – and adding great value to boot …

The eco-friendly wooden structures are ‘customer favourites’. They overlook the riverside area with beautiful views south to Tulloch Hill. Despite being in a quiet and private area of the park, the pods are only a few minutes walk from the nearest shower block. Each pod – measuring 9ft x 15ft in size – offers the feeling of camping with the comfort of a solid, waterproof roof and heat! You’ll find glamping luxuries of electric lighting, heating, electric sockets, Wi-Fi (tariff based) and a sofa bed.

The sofa beds sleep two adults. Guests should bring their own bedding or sleeping bags and camping supplies. Up to two children can camp on the carpeted floor of the pod – so bring inflatable mattresses for the wee ones’ comfort.

Julia Sim, head of Sales & Marketing, explains their attraction, saying: “Staying in these pods is fun for children and our park offers plenty to do – from 4×4 Land Rover Safaris, pony trekking, Segway Express, Castle tours and tractor tours.” Julia adds: “We’ve always had a lot to offer families with a wide portfolio of accommodation and a packed calendar of events. We’re further strengthening our offer this year with additional camping pods and a new Family Pass.”

The caravan park at Blair Castle is always busy and the park owners invest year on year to keep their accommodation up to scratch. The results are recognition for their work – most recently an AA award for the Blair Castle Caravan Park – as well as glowing feedback from visitors via Trip Adviso … with these reviews on their new Pods!

New in 2017, they’ve also launched a Family Pass. Valid for 2 adults and up to 3 children, the Pass is priced at £50 and is valid all season. Not only does it let your family enjoy all that the estate has to offer, there’s an added benefit of a 10% discount in the gift shop and restaurant.

Julia explains: “It’s a way of building loyalty locally and offering great value for money to families. We are hopeful that we will get strong pick up on this.”

A final note from the Castle: they’ve been accepted into the RHS Partner Gardens Scheme for Scotland and are able to offer free entry to the gardens and grounds to all RHS members every Wednesday.